IndiGo will kickstart international ops with Delhi-Dubai flight

Budget carrier IndiGo Airlines, which signed a $16-billion deal with Airbus to buy 180 aircraft, plans to start international operations from September 1. In an interview with ET Now, IndiGo President Aditya Ghosh speaks to ET on the company's growth strategy and industry demand going ahead. Excerpts:
When will delivery for the 180 aircraft start?
We have ordered 180 aircraft, of which 150 will be the new Airbus A320 NEO. Delivery for these will start from 2015 and go on until 2024. Our existing order of 100 aircraft comes to an end in 2015. It will give us commonality of fleet. Also, we have chosen the Pratt & Whitney engines, which will help us burn 12-15% less fuel. We also have 50% improvement in emissions. Together, I think it will take IndiGo to the next generation four years from now.
How do you plan to finance the deal?
It will be a mix of operating and financing leasing, the same way we had funded our 100 aircraft buy six years ago.
What is IndiGo's plan on international routes? Which routes are you targeting?
We will start international operations on September 1. Our very first flight will be Delhi-Dubai. We will have flights from Delhi to Singapore and Bangkok. We will also connect Mumbai to Dubai and Bangkok. We also have plans to connect Mumbai to Muscat and Singapore.
30/06/11 Samir Hashmi/Economic Times

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Categories: Airports Jun 2011, Foreign Jun 2011, Indigo Airlines Jun 2011